In Always: The Love Story of Irving Berlin, KT Sullivan and Mark
Nadler provide a charming and inventive recap of the life and music of the
man whose songs came to define a generation - several generations, in fact
- of American pop. This is no mere songbook/hit parade show; the duo
presents Berlin's hits (and occasional misses) in a format that traces his
life through his music.

Smartly directed by Richard M. Parison, Jr., the show charts the ups and
downs of Berlin's life, with just enough dramatic tension to keep things
interesting over the course of a two-hour show. Sullivan and Nadler use
Berlin's songs to illustrate the different stages of his life. So for
Berlin's birth in Siberia, the duo performs "Russian Lullaby"; for his
bachelor days, we get "No Strings (I'm Fancy Free)"; for a tale of a
marital spat, it's "Be Careful, It's My Heart."

The best portion of the show comes in act two, with a patriotic medley
that is free of flag-waving schmaltz. Songs like "This Is the Army, Mr.
Jones" and "I Left My Heart at the Stage Door Canteen" run the risk of
being corny, but the duo balances them with the chilling "A Little Old
Church in England," which starkly describes the horrors of the London Blitz.
Yes, they perform "God Bless America," but they sing it over sound
effects of exploding bombs, underlying the risks that Berlin undertook on
his many tours performing for servicemen.

All of this is framed by the poignant story of Berlin's 62-year marriage
to the aristocrat Ellin Mackay. The show concludes with a depiction of
Berlin's last years that manages to be touching without being overly
sentimental.

Nadler seems to be spinning like a top at all moments - which is quite
an achievement considering he never leaves his piano bench. Often gesturing
with his right hand while playing bass notes with his left, he is a
great and versatile showman. (He also does a wicked impression of Berlin.)
Sullivan seems almost sedate in comparison, but don't count her out - she
gives a great comic spin to the sarcastic "I'm a Dumbbell" and turns "You'd
Be Surprised" into a torchy tour de force.

Sullivan and Nadler continue their wonderful Berlin tribute through
Sunday, October 29, then follow it up the next week with another show, A
Swell Party: R.S.V.P. Cole Porter. They represent cabaret artistry at
its best.

Always: The Love Story of Irving Berlin runs through Sunday,
October 29, 2006, and A Swell Party: R.S.V.P. Cole Porter runs
November 1-5. Ticket prices range from $40 to $55, and may be purchased by
calling the Prince Music Theater box office at 215-569-9700, in person at
1412 Chestnut Street in Philadelphia, or online at
www.princemusictheater.org.

Always: The Love Story of Irving Berlin
Music and Lyrics by Irving Berlin
All arrangements by Mark Nadler with the assistance of KT Sullivan
All dialogue by KT Sullivan with the assistance of Mark Nadler
Directed by Richard M. Parison, Jr.
Lighting Design Consultant... Troy A. Martin-O'Shia
Stage Manager... Paul Jerue
Sound Design Consultant... Nick Kourtides